RANK #448 / 996 · POP 152,515 · CA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%
Kings County, California, located in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley, offers a distinctive blend of rural charm and natural amenities. Hanford, the county seat, boasts a historic downtown with buildings dating back to the late 1800s, including the Hanford Carnegie Museum. The county is approximately 30 miles south of Fresno and 20 miles west of Visalia, with commute times averaging 23 minutes for residents. While largely flat and agricultural, the western edge of the county touches the Inner South Coast Ranges, featuring the Kettleman Hills and Table Mountain, the highest point in Kings County. The Kings River, a federally designated Wild & Scenic River, provides opportunities for water sports, fishing, and boating, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are less than a two-hour drive away.
Life in Kings County often centers around its close-knit communities, with a significant portion of residents owning their homes. Educational options include various elementary and high school districts, such as Hanford Elementary and Lemoore Union High School Districts. The economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, with the county consistently ranking among California's top producers in commodities like milk, pistachios, and tomatoes. Beyond agriculture, Naval Air Station Lemoore is a major employer, and the county has seen recent investments in commercial, residential, and energy sectors, including projects like the California High-Speed Rail.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Westlands Solar Park (Aquamarine, Solar Blue, Chestnut, Grape, Cherry, Slate, Mustang One and Two, RE Kent South, American Kings Solar)
CIM Group, MN8 Energy, Recurrent Energy, Westside Holdings LLC
|
$2,000M | Operating |
|
Slate Solar + Storage Project
MN8 Energy (originally Recurrent Energy)
|
$440M | Operating |
|
Sunglow Battery Storage Project
Unknown
|
$372M | Planned |
|
Kingsley Solar Farm
EDF Renewables North America
|
$320M | Under Construction |
|
Fargo Village (Mixed-use development)
Unknown
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Hanford Place (Mixed-use development)
Unknown
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Kings County has a Boom Town Index score of 55/100, ranking #448 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.6% and a median household income of $68,540, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Kings County is $281,400 with median rent at $1,201/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2436, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.6%. Home values changed +2.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.2% of Kings County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.